Scottish Dream
8 day / 7 night
Experience the best of Scotland on this Flagship tour! From the Victorian grandeur of Glasgow commence your exploration of the Highlands. Tour along the banks of Loch Lomond and visit the pretty town of Inveraray. Travel along the famous Road to the Isles then sail “Over the sea to Skye” to visit Scotland’s most romantic island. Spend a two night stay in a manor house in the heart of Highland Perthshire then visit stately Glamis Caste and St Andrews, the home of golf. End the tour with a thrilling visit to Edinburgh. If you are seeking the perfect introduction to Scotland this is it!
Price range: £1,335 - £2,416
Glasgow - explore the lively city of Glasgow and investigate amazing Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Inveraray - visit Inveraray Castle, the impressive home of the Dukes of Argyll
Isle of Skye - learn the story of the Clan Donald and tour through the scenic Sleat Peninsula
Glamis Castle - discover the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Edinburgh - tour through the Georgian New Town and ancient Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle
Movie locations - Downton Abbey, Local Hero and Sunshine on Leith
Hotel accommodation included
Select Day:
Your trip starts in Glasgow Airport with a group transfer to your hotel, departing Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. At 2:30 pm take a coach tour to see the main attractions of Glasgow including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, Glasgow Cathedral and the River Clyde, once famous for shipbuilding, especially during the 19th Century when the city burgeoned.. Visit extensive and varied collections in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, originally opened in 1901. Chat with your tour director about your trip with a welcome drink before dinner.
Overnight: Jury's Inn, Glasgow (or similar)
Depart Glasgow and drive north along the banks of Loch Lomond with views of Ben Lomond and other Highland peaks. At Tarbet embark on a short cruise to appreciate the beauty of this famous loch and admire panoramic views of the Highlands. Then travel across the mountains for time to explore the delightful town of Inveraray before visiting Inveraray Castle, which enjoyed a starring role in Downton Abbey. This imposing Campbell family home with four conical spires was built between 1746 and 1789. A guided tour will reveal the history of the family and region as you view the magnificent Armoury Hall and many fine rooms with tapestries, porcelains and portraits. Journey across extensive Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen made famous by the Campbells' massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692, to Ballachulish on the coast.
Overnight: Ballachulish Hotel/Isle of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish (or similar)
This morning head north via Fort William and take the "Road to the Isles” through some of Scotland's loveliest scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. At Mallaig cross by ferry to the Isle of Skye, sometimes called the "Misty Isle" due to the showers that are sometimes brought by Atlantic breezes. Visit Armadale Castle to discover the history of the Lords of the Isles and the most powerful clan of the Isle of Skye. Drive through Sleat, known as the "Garden of Skye" and return to the mainland by bridge, stopping for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Then drive along the beautiful shores of Loch Ness, famous for its monster. Continue to your hotel in Nairn, an impressive manor house property set in spacious grounds near the North Sea.
Overnight: The Newton Hotel, Nairn (or similar)
A short distance from Nairn is the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre. Learn about the battle which took place on 16th April 1746 when British Government troops defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, popularly named Bonnie Prince Charlie, in just one hour. The award-winning Visitor Centre shows the background to this bloody battle and you can walk around the moorland to see various memorials to the fallen. This battle changed the traditional Highland way of life amongst the clans forever. Continue through majestic Highland scenery to Leault Farm for a demonstration of trained dogs herding sheep. Drive south through the high peaks of the Grampian Mountains to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry and take a brief tour of this historic hotel and its museum.
Overnight: Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry (or similar) (2 nights)
A short drive will bring you to Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Dating back to 1269, the castle has been transformed through the ages, from a strong medieval fortress to a Victorian castle in the baronial style. These influences can still be seen today across the 30 rooms on full display. You will learn about Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and how a stay by Queen Victoria led to the creation of Europe's only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Visit Blair Athol Distillery to learn about the simple ingredients and many steps involved in whisky making. Tour the facilities and sample a "wee dram” at the end of the tour. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore the gardens, hotel museum and other facilities or browse around the town of Pitlochry, within easy walking distance.
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Overnight: MacDonald Holyrood Hotel/Norton Hotel and Spa, Edinburgh (or similar) (2 nights)
This morning explore Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old "New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along The Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare that separates the two areas. Learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers. Finish your tour at the imposing Edinburgh Castle where you can see historic buildings, the fabulous Scottish Crown Jewels and enjoy splendid views of Edinburgh. The balance of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping and dining. On 29 July to 19 August departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Castle esplanade.
Sadly our tour ends today. If you are flying home there are group transfers to Edinburgh International Airport which will arrive at 6:30 am or 9:00 am. A transfer to Glasgow Airport can be arranged in advance at extra cost.
If you enjoy the art of travelling in comfort and style then a Premium Escorted Tour is for you. You’ll travel in a group that is restricted to around 40 fellow travellers. Travel is aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, on-board WiFi, reclining seats and oversized windows. For your comfort there is an emergency washroom on-board too. An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain cities you’ll be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights. These tours are fully inclusive of first class/superior class accommodation, transportation, admission fees and most meals. Savvy travellers appreciate that these tours have no hidden extras – all the ingredients needed for a great tour are included in the tour price. There are no optional extras for you to budget for during your holiday.
There are different bedrooms types to choose from, here is what you can expect: Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed. Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds. Double room - two people sharing one large bed. Family room - three people sharing a room sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person). Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you’ll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process. Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation. Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.
Romantic Inveraray Castle Gardens sits on the shores of Loch Fyne and is one of Scotland’s finest stately homes. The ruggedness of the highland scenery serves as a spectacular backdrop for the sheltered tidal Loch, beside which nestles the present Castle built between 1745 and 1790.The ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell whose family have resided in Inveraray since the early 15th century. Visitors enter the famous Armoury Hall containing some 1300 pieces including Brown Bess muskets, Lochaber axes and 18th century Scottish broadswords. They can also view preserved swords from the Battle of Culloden. The fine State Dining Room and Tapestry Drawing Room contain magnificent French tapestries which were woven especially for the Castle, fabulous examples of Scottish, English and French furniture and countless other precious artworks. The castle’s priceless collection of china, silver and family heirlooms spans generations which are illustrated by the fascinating genealogical display in the Clan Room. Fans of Downton Abbey will recall that Inveraray had a starring role during a two-hour special where the Grantham family and staff travelled north to the home of their cousins, the Marquess and Marchioness of Flintshire in their mythical Scottish home, ‘Duneagle Castle’. Inveraray Castle is open to the public between April and October.
On all tours a policy of seat rotation is used. This gives everyone the opportunity to sit towards the front of the coach and experience the best views. Your tour director will explain how the rotation system works when you join the tour. Please note that whilst seated you must wear your seat belt.
Please check your tour documention for the commencement time of the tour
From Radisson Blu Hotel
301 Argyle Street
Glasgow G2 8DL or
Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel
1-9 Grosvenor Terrace
Glasgow G12 0TA
The tour will end in Edinburgh after breakfast on day 8
Check-in: 14:00 hrs
Tour Departs: 14:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 09:00 hrs
Child discount applies to children aged 8 to 18 years inclusive on the basis that they share a room with an adult.
We’re sorry but children aged under 8 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Selected departures include a visit to this famous celebration of music, dancing and culture performed against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
FAQ's
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
CIE 01228
